10 Useful Tips and Tricks for Chromebook and Chromebook Plus
Chromebooks are laptops that run on ChromeOS and were initially designed to support web browsing. In their early days, Chromebooks let users access the web without offering other, more complex features that are available on standard laptops. This made Chromebooks suitable for educational purposes, providing young learners a perfect balance between speed, simplicity, and durability.
Chromebook technology has developed over time, giving rise to Chromebook Plus devices, which offer enhanced performance and up to double the speed and memory of traditional Chromebooks. Chromebook Plus devices provide a range of advanced features and access to creative apps, letting users multitask between making content, watching videos, and playing their favorite games. These highly efficient machines are packed with AI-powered tools and driven by Intel or AMD processors, and provide 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space. Here are some useful tips and tricks to get the most out of Chromebook and Chromebook Plus devices.
1. Use a PIN for easy Chromebook login
Cybersecurity is a major concern in today’s world, with phishing attacks and password thefts making up the most common cause of cyber breaches in 2023. A recent survey found that 61% of 500 UK-based businesses had experienced a cyber breach in 2023, with 35% citing stolen passwords as the cause. We need security and convenience when protecting personal information, but strong passwords can be troublesome to create and remember. Chromebooks allow users to unlock their devices using a PIN code comprising four to six digits, allowing them to access information quickly and easily. The limited combination of numbers also means that PIN codes may be safer than traditional passwords that are prone to brute force attacks or phishing attempts. Setting up a Chromebook PIN is quick and easy, and can boost the security of Chromebook devices.
2. Enable Caps Lock on your Chromebook
The Chromebook Caps Lock feature may be a little different to traditional laptops. Users may be used to switching the Caps Lock on or off with the dedicated Caps Lock key, but Chromebooks have a search key instead. Users can turn the search key into a Caps Lock key by pressing Alt+Search or Alt+Launcher, and using the same method to switch it off again.
3. Use the gestures feature on your Chromebook
The gestures feature lets users operate their Chromebook via a series of swipes or taps on the touchpad. These gestures are easy to pick up, especially as we are used to using smartphones and touchscreen devices, and can replace pointing and clicking with a mouse. Here are some simple Chromebook gestures you can try:
- To scroll, place two fingers on the touchpad using even pressure. Move them up and down to scroll vertically, and left and right to scroll horizontally.
- Swipe left with two fingers to return to a previous page, and swipe right to go forward to a page you were just on.
4. Activate guest mode for friends and family on Chromebook
Letting friends and family share devices gives them access to private apps and settings. The Chromebook Guest mode lets users share their Chromebook device with others while keeping sensitive documents and settings private. Others can use the same Chromebook without signing into a Google account, and their search history or visited websites will be erased after logging out. Learn how to use Chromebook as a guest, and maximize privacy when sharing devices.
5. Learn and use shortcut keys on your Chromebook
Shortcuts are useful for quickly accessing information or completing specific tasks such as taking a screenshot or locking the Chromebook screen.
- To take a screenshot, press Ctrl + Show Windows
- To lock the screen, press Search + L or press Launcher + L
- To close the current tab, press Ctrl + w
- To reopen the last closed tab or window, press Shift + Ctrl + t
- To lock the screen, press Search + L, or press Launcher + L
- To log out of the Google Account, press Shift + Ctrl + q (twice)
Learning more Chromebook shortcuts can help users navigate their Chromebook device more efficiently.
6. Enable night and dark mode on your Chromebook
The Chromebook Night Light feature adds a warm hue to the display, protecting our eyes when using our devices in environments with low lighting. Users can manually change their Chromebook’s screen color or instruct their device to automatically adjust the color at customized times. For example, red hues are easier to see in dim light and can help users fall asleep at bedtime. Enabling Chromebook Night Light and Dark mode safeguards our eyes and prioritizes sleep health.
7. Set up tap-to-click with your Chromebook touchpad
Instead of using a mouse to point and click, Chromebook users can adjust their touchpad to right-click, scroll, and switch between tabs. To move the pointer, users can simply move their fingers across the touchpad and press or tap the lower half of the touchpad to click. Learning Chromebook touchpad tricks helps users easily and efficiently navigate different applications without a mouse.
8. Utilize split screen on your Chromebook
Utilizing the split screen function on a Chromebook enables multitasking and enhances productivity. By splitting the screen, users can see and work on multiple applications at once. Moreover, if splitting the screen feels too restrictive, users can choose a custom-sized partial window. Learn how to implement a split or partial screen window, and boost productivity by simultaneously juggling different applications.
9. Make the most of virtual desks on Chromebook
Keeping multiple tabs and windows open while working or browsing can make it difficult to locate information when we need it. Chromebook has created a solution for this, known as virtual desks, which creates separate desktop workspaces for different collections of tabs. For example, users can separate their social media and work tabs, helping them organize their digital world and stay focused on the task at hand. Creating a new virtual desk is a great way to arrange tabs and can enhance productivity for Chromebook users.
10. Use Google's latest AI feature "Help me write"
Google’s innovative Help Me Write feature offers assistance when writing or refining texts. This creative writing aid is integrated into Google Docs and is powered by Google Gemini. Help Me Write utilizes Generative AI to help users write emails or other texts more effectively, helping to save time and effort. Activating Help Me Write on Chromebooks is a savvy way to utilize AI for enhanced writing accuracy.
Conclusion
Chromebooks are helpful devices that ooze simplicity. Learning cool tricks on Chromebooks skyrockets productivity and lets users save time while they work, browse, or study. For example, simple gestures on the Chromebook’s touchpad can remove the need for an external mouse, while the split screen function encourages multitasking and working between applications. Learning the Chromebook tips and tricks highlighted in this article can create a more enjoyable and stress-free user experience.
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Jeni is a translator and writer based in Taiwan. She is passionate about business development and loves helping companies enter international markets. She is fluent in English, German, and Mandarin Chinese, and combines these with her industry experience to provide practical market entry solutions.
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